Horizontal boring machine with remote pump control system

ABSTRACT

A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by a main frame portion that supports the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus, and a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is positioned on the main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means. The machine is further characterized by a novel remote electric control means for the auger drive apparatus that provides for remote operation and hydraulically actuated variable speed control of the boring auger at a location remote from the machine.

United States Patent [191 Appleman Sept. 23, 1975 HORIZONTAL BORINGMACHINE WITH REMOTE PUMP CONTROL SYSTEM William S. Appleman, Ashland,Ohio The Richmond Manufacturing Company, Ashland, Ohio Filed: Mar. 27,1974 Appl. No.: 455,388

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1960 Long 60/D1G. 1010/1963 Osborn i. 175/62 X l/l964 Adams et a1 17 5/62 X 1/1969 VanWagenen et al. 60/D1G. 1O 9/1973 Gordon 60/488 X Primary E.raminerErnestR. Purser Attorney, Agent, or FirmPalmer Fultz, Esq.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boringof shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installationswhere excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine ischaracterized by a main frame portion that supports the auger drive andeasing pusher apparatus, and a detachably mounted engine frame portionthat permits the trans mission of power between the engine and the augerdrive and casing pusher apparatus not only when the engine frame portionis positioned on the main frame portion at the boring location but alsowhen said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a locationremote from the main frame means. The machine is further characterizedby a novel remote electric control means for the auger drive apparatusthat provides for remote operation and hydraulically actu ated variablespeed control of the boring auger at a location remote from the machine.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 Of43,907,043

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,907,043

lll'l'l nlll-lullllllllllll'lllllll' llllllllllll I'll ll 'lnl' QMOQkZQU US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet4 of4 3,907,043

E m9 v9 m luv. ll qm w J F m n I Q: n n Y f Q m H- mi N m: An Q J viHORIZONTAL BORING MACHINE WITH REMOTE PUMP CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to portable earth boring machinesand more particularly to a machine adapted for horizontal boring ofshafts for the insertion of pipelines at installations where excavationfrom the surface is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the machine of the presentinvention comprises a base means that includes spaced track memberswhich are disposed in a trench adjacent the hill to be bored. Themachine further includes a frame means mounted for movement along thetrack means and such frame means supports a power train for rotating conneeted sections of auger shafts which comprise a progressivelyextendable boring auger. The frame means further supports a pusher ringfor driving sections of casings into the bored hole and an associatedpushing cylinder means is provided for advancing the retracting theframe means and pusher ring along the track means.

With machines of this general type problems have been encountered in thefunction of driving the boring auger into various types of earth fillwhich may comprise anything from hard rock to soft earth. Prior boringmachines have been characterized by power trains connecting the augerwith the engine which power trains have included mechanicaltransmissions and speed reducer mechanisms for the purpose of providinga multiplicity of speeds, for example two or three, for selective usewith various earth fill characteristics.

However, due to the many types of earch fill encountered, including rockformations of various hardness, the several available gear ratiosavailable in prior machines have in most cases necessitated compromisesin optimum auger speeds with resulting inefficiency and slow down inproduction rates.

In accordance with the present invention, the boring machine is providedwith a novel infinitely variable bydraulic drive in the power trainpermitting the operator to select an infinite number of speeds withinthe available range from zero to maximum.

As another aspect of the present invention the novel control system isselectively controllable with the engine frame portion and associatedapparatus either in position on the main frame of the machine, or withsuch engine frame portion positioned at a remote location suchas outsidethe trench from which the tunnel is being bored.

As still another aspect of the present invention the novel control meansis provided with a maximum'high pressure relief valve means whichprevents the operator from at anytime overloading the components of thefluid circuit.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide anearth boring machine with a novel control system for the speed of theboring auger which permits the operator to infinitely vary the augerspeed to establish the most efficient boring rate for the particularearth conditions being encountered.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a boringmachine with a control system of the type described that is uniquelyadapted for remote control operation such that the engine frame portionand asso- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof a boring machine construeted in accordance with the present inventionand showing the main frame portion of such machine disposed in a trenchin a boring; position with the removable engine frame portion positionedoutside the trench:

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the boring machine of FIG. 1;

I FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a control station for the machine ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a hydraulic circuit comprising thecontrol means for the machine of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an electronic circuit comprising thecontroller for the machine of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to thedrawings, FIGS. I and 2 illustrate the complete horizontal earth boringmachine of the present invention which comprises a base means indicatedgenerally at 20. Such base means includes spaced longitudinallyextending track means 22 which support a carriage means indicatedgenerally at 24.

The carriage means 24 is advanced and retracted along track 22 byhydraulic power cylinders, portions of which are seen at 132 and 134 inFIG. I. With such power cylinder being operatively connected between apower cylinder base 36 and the carriage means 24.

Details of typical power cylinders such as'l32 and 134 and powercylinder base 36 are disclosed and described in detail in theapplication of Albert R Richmond, Ser. No. 867.8% filed Oct. 20, I969,now US. Pat. No. 3,612,195issued Nov. l2, I971.

It will be further seen that pressurized fluid for actuating powercylinders I32 and 134 is provided by'a fluid power system disclosed anddescribed in detail in our co-pending application Ser. No. 455,254 filedMar. 27. 1974. In general such circuits include valve mechanisms 44 and46 which actuate the pushing cylinders I32 and 134 so as to extend orretract carriage 24 forwardly or rcardly along the track means 22.

Referring again to FIG. I, the boring machine further includes a pusherring 50 including a front annular surface 52'forengaging the sections ofpipe casing for pushing such sections into the bored hole. Such pusherring 50 includes a thrust plate 60 mounted on the earriage means withsuch thrust plate 51 serving as a mount for a thrust bearing, notillustrated, for the auger connecting shaft 64. The mechanism comprisingthe thrust plate 60, the thrust bearing assembly mounted thereon, andthe back-up plates 90 transmit the thrust from the auger connectingshaft 64 to the carriage .machine of. the present invention is disclosedand de- .scribed in detail in the application of Albert R. Richmand,Scr. No. 85,614 filed Oct. 30, 1970 now U.S; Pat. No. 3,693,7 34issued,$ept. 26, 1972.

Reference is ncxtmadc to FIG. 3 which is a diagram:

matie view of the hydraulic system for controlling the operation of theboring auger-drive including thcspeed and reversal of auger connectingshaft. 64. A displacement pump is indicated generally at 100 andreceives fluidfroin a reservoir 106, with variable pump 'I00,line 126,line 128, line J44, line 146 and a fixed displacementv hydraulic motor140 constituting a closed loop circuit.- Itwill be understood that motorl40.-FIG. 2, drives the previously described auger connecting shaft.rneans64, FIG. I.

During forward operation of the boring auger shaft- 64, pressurizedhydraulic fluid is-delivered from pump 100 via pressurized lines 126 and146 to motor 140 and returned to the pump via lines 144 and 128. Forreverse operation of the auger connecting shaft 64 the variabledisplacement pump 100 -isreversed and thenflow through the closedIoopcircuity is in the opposite direction.

,ln general variation inflow volume and,reversal of variable pump 100 isaccomplished by a servo-circuit which functions to vary the angle of aconventional wobbleplate in the pump. or other means conventional in theart. Suchwobbleplate is actua t'etl by a small hydraulic servo motorusually integral with the pump with such servo motor mechanismbeingindicated at 101 in FIG S. The circuit for operating servo-motor 101 andhence controlling displacement and reversal of variable pump 100 furtherincludes a fixed displacement pump 102,a fixed flow control valve 124-,and a pump control valve 116..

Referenceis ncxtmade to the-operation of thc .sc,rvo circuit forcontrolling variable displacement pump 100 and hence the speed anddirection of hydraulic motor 140.. Pump control-valve 116 is a normallyclosed three-position ,valvc which when actuated by arm 204 fromcentered to right or lcftpositions functions, to deliver pressurizedoileither to one side of servo motor l l yia lines 133 and l08 or to theother side via lines 133 and ,l 10. Thespool of valve, 1 16 is normallybiased to its center position by springs 206 and 208.

Itshouldnext be mentioned that pump control valve 116v is provided.uvith remote control apparatus 1184120. FIGS..3 and-1 which apparatuscomprises a servo actuator l 18, that includes an electric motor 202mounted at.valvc ll6 which merelyfunctions to move valvearm.204 betweenthe above mentioned centercd'l'orncutral position. and right and leftvalve positions. The remote controlapparatus further includes a remoteelectric controller 120, FIGS. 1, 2. and 2A which is normally removablymounted on a control console-121. In remote operation FIG. I thcfremoteelectric controller 120 is removed from console 121 andcarried about byIl'lC operator as seen in FIG. 1. Thefunction of remote electriccontroller 120 is to op-. crate. the previously mentioned electric motor202 in scrvoactuator 118 and the controller 120 and actuator 118are-connected together by wires 119 as" seen-iii FIG. .1. In generalwhen a dial knob 12mm controller its center? position .to. its

is turned thenv a-contact 210.1 of thc slave. potentiometer, FIG 4, ismoved 'withrespect to a resistor 212 which serves to varythe resistance.More particularly, when'dial "is tuincd froma 0 'or center position.inone direction by theoperator. then the current in the armature ofmotor 202 in. servoactuator 118 is varied soas to drive the spool'ofpump control valve 116 from right'Yposition. Similarly. when dial knob125 is turned from its center position in the other direction electricmotor202 in servo actuator 118 moves the spool'in pump .control valvefrom its center. position to its"fleft position,

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, this represents an appropriate circuitWhIChglIlClLldCS atransistor network indicated generally at 220. Suchtransistor network functions to varythe potential in the armature ofmotor 202 which motor is ,of the permanentmagnet D.C. type responsivc tomovement of contact 210 of a'slave potcntiometeralong the resistor ,212.-When .such contact 210., andthc previously mentioned dial 125 whichmoves it, FIGS. 2 and 2A, are centered the potential supplied bytransistor network 220 balances the field and armature of motor 202 andthe motor is stationary with valve actuating arm 204. in its centeredposition as seen in FIG; 2A. 5

-When the dial 125 is moved from 0 or centered position to the left thanthc'transistor network 220 varies .thepotential in the armature of motor202 and the motor .rotates to. movesvalvccontrol arm 204, FIG. 3,

to the left.

I -Valve; 116 then delivers pressurized fluid to servo control 101. ofvariable pump 100 and the wobble plate of the pump is-fnoved in aconventional manner to cause the delivery of pressurizedfluid to drivemotor 140 in the forward direction. It will now be seen that the moredial 125 is. rotated from 0 to the left, the faster motor 140 willrotate in a forward direction.

Conversely. when dial 125, FIG. 2 andFlG. 2-A is rotated from 0 toright, then movable contact 210 is driven to-the right witharesultingchange in potential in the armatureof motor 202. Valve actuating arm 204is moved progressively to the right whcrebypump 100 and motor 140 aredriven in thereverse direction.

It will also be understood that when dial 125 is moved back from left"or right to center' then motor 202 will center pump I00 and rotation ofmotor l40 and the auger shaft 64 will cease.

It will now be understood that dial knob 125 of controller 120 permitsthe operator to set-the pump control servomotor I01 atan infinite numberof settings within its range from zero to maximum. Hence the settingsfor flow output from pump 100 and hence the directional rotational speedof motor 140 and the boring auger driven thereby are infinitely variablewithin the establishcdrange from zero to maximum rotational speed.

With continued reference to FIG. 3. fixed pump 102 further serves .tocharge the previously mentioned closed loop circuit via'lincs and checkvalves 129 and 127. Whcnoneof the check valves 129 or 127 is on thepressure side of the closed loop then it will be biased closed and henceoil from line 130 can only be released from the opposite one of thecheck valves 129 or 127 to the low pressure side of the closed .loop.

A pressure relief valve 122 is provided in line 130 for releasing excessfluid delivery from fixed pump 102 back to tank.

which connect to the closed loop on opposite sides of motor 140 via thelines 146 and 144. These relief valves 148 and 150 are arranged suchthat if the high pressure side of the closed loop becomes excessive theappropriate one of such relief valves 148 or 150 will remove fluid intothe low pressure side of the closed loop without losing oil from theloop circuit.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a pilot operated shuttle valve 152which includes the pressure actuated pilots 154 and 156 is provided toprevent the build-up of excess pressure within the housing of motor 140due to the occurrence of leakage and high pressure air around thepistons of the pump.

Pilot operated shuttle valve 152 is shifted upon occurrence of highpressure on the high pressure side of the closed loop circuit so as toopen the low pressure side of the closed loop circuit to a surge. flowrelief valve 158. For example, if during forward operation and line 126of the closed loop circuit is pressurized then pilot 154 shifts shuttlevalve 152 so as to expose the other side of the circuit, the lowpressure side, to surge flow relief valve 158 thereby protecting the lowpressure side of the pump'motor circuit from any excessive surgepressures which may occur.

When motor 140 is operating in the opposite direction then the otherpilot 156 shifts power operated shuttle valve 152 in the oppositedirection thereby opening the other side of the closed loop circuit torelief valve 158. It should be mentioned that any fluid released fromrelief valve 158 returns hydraulic fluid back to tank via line 172, thecooling chamber of pump 100, line 105, and an oil cooler 104.

It should further be mentioned that the housing of fluid motor 140 isprevented from the build-up of excess pressure due to the leakage pastthe pistons of the motor via a return line 142 which connects with line172 leading back to tank 101.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the fluid lines 126., 128, and 172 areextended through the remote control loom 161, along with the wires 119which connect remote electric controller 120 with the servo actuator 118as previously described. Also the fluid lines 126,

128 and 172 are preferably provided with quick disconneet couplings174-176 seen in FIG. 3.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is:

1. An earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means;frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement alongsaid track means and an engine frame portion; an engine mounted on saidengine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means mounted on said mainframe portion; variable displacement pump means mounted on said engineframe portion and driven by said engine; a fluid motor mounted on saidmain frame portion for driving said auger connection shaft means;conduit means extending between said frame portion and forming a closedloop circuit between said pump means and said fluid motor; servo motorfor varying the displacement of said pump means; pump control valvemeans for controlling a control flow of pressurized fluid to said servomotor, said valve means including a center position isolating said fluidmotor from said control flow, a *right position for delivering saidcontrol flow to one side of said servo motor, and a left position fordelivering said control flow to the other side of said servo motor; aservo actuator including an electric motor for said pump control valvemeans for shifting said valve means between said positions; and a remoteelectric controller for controlling the rotation of said auger, saidcontroller being electrically connected to said electric motor of saidservo actuator and operable from a location remote from said machine.

2. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein said closed loop circuitincludes a first circuit portion that is alternately exposed to high andlow pressure, and a second circuit portion that is alternately exposedto high and low pressure; and maximum pressure relief valve means foralternately subjecting only the high pressure circuit portion to apredetermined maximum pressure relief action.

3. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein said closed loop circuitincludes a first circuit portion that is alternately exposed to high andlow pressure. and a second circuit portion that is alternately exposedto high and low pressure; and maximum pressure relief valve means foralternately subjecting only the low pressure circuit portion to apredetermined maximum pressure relief action.

4. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein said closed loop circuitincludes a first circuit portion that is alternately exposed to high andlow pressure, and a second circuit portion that is alternately exposedto high and low pressure; maximum pressure relief valve means foralternately subjecting only the high pressure circuit portion to apredetermined maximum pressure relief action; and a second maximumpressure relief valve means for alternately subjecting only the lowpressure circuit portion to a second predetermined maximum pressurerelief action.

5. The earth boring machine of claim 1 that includes a second pump meansfor supplying said control flow of pressurized fluid; and a pressurerelief valve means for said control flow.

6. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein said closed loop circuitincludes a first circuit portion that is alternately exposed to high andlow pressure, and a second circuit portion that is alternately exposedto high and low pressure; a second pump means for charging said closedloop circuit with make-up fluid; and check valve means for selectivelyreleasing said makeup fluid to whichever one of the circuit portions isoperating at low pressure.

* l l =l

1. An earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means;frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement alongsaid track means and an engine frame portion; an engine mounted on saidengine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means mounted on said mainframe portion; variable displacement pump means mounted on said engineframe portion and driven by said engine; a fluid motor mounted on saidmain frame portion for driving said auger connection shaft means;conduit means extending between said frame portion and forming a closedloop circuit between said pump means and said fluid motor; servo motorfor varying the displacement of said pump means; pump control valvemeans for controlling a control flow of pressurized fluid to said servomotor, said valve means including a ''''center'''' position isolatingsaid fluid motor from said control flow, a ''''right'''' position fordelivering said control flow to one side of said servo motor, and a''''left'''' position for delivering said control flow to the other sideof said servo motor; a servo actuator including an electric motor forsaid pump control valve means for shifting said valve means between saidpositions; and a remote electric controller for controlling the rotationof said auger, said controller being electrically connected to saidelectric motor of said servo actuator and operable from a locationremote from said machine.
 2. The earth boring machine of claim 1 whereinsaid closed loop circuit includes a first circuit portion that isalternately exposed to high and low pressure, and a second circuitportion that is alternately exposed to high and low pressure; andmaximum pressure relief valve means for alternately subjecting only thehigh pressure circuit portion to a predetermined maximum pressure reliefaction.
 3. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein said closed loopcircuit includes a first circuit portion that is alternately exposed tohigh and low pressure, and a second circuit portion that is alternatelyexposed to high and low pressure; and maximum pressure relief valvemeans for alternately subjecting only the low pressure circuit portionto a predetermined maximum pressure relief action.
 4. The earth boringmachine of claim 1 wherein said closed loop circuit includes a firstcircuit portion that Is alternately exposed to high and low pressure,and a second circuit portion that is alternately exposed to high and lowpressure; maximum pressure relief valve means for alternately subjectingonly the high pressure circuit portion to a predetermined maximumpressure relief action; and a second maximum pressure relief valve meansfor alternately subjecting only the low pressure circuit portion to asecond predetermined maximum pressure relief action.
 5. The earth boringmachine of claim 1 that includes a second pump means for supplying saidcontrol flow of pressurized fluid; and a pressure relief valve means forsaid control flow.
 6. The earth boring machine of claim 1 wherein saidclosed loop circuit includes a first circuit portion that is alternatelyexposed to high and low pressure, and a second circuit portion that isalternately exposed to high and low pressure; a second pump means forcharging said closed loop circuit with make-up fluid; and check valvemeans for selectively releasing said make-up fluid to whichever one ofthe circuit portions is operating at low pressure.